Due to our ongoing building works we may need to change the pedestrian and vehicular access on the results days. If this happens, diversions will be in place and clearly signposted.

The results days for summer 2015 exams will be:

GCE AS/A2 Results - Thursday 13th August 2015 from 8.00am in the Sixth Form Centre.

GCSE Results - Thursday 20th August 2015 from 9.00am (Year 10 students from 10.00am) in the Sixth Form Centre.

Due to our current building works we will not be using the Upper School Hall this year; students will be directed to our Sixth form Centre via the community path (access will be clearly signposted on each day).

Please note:

If you wish any other person (including family members) to collect results on your behalf, you must send in a signed letter of authorisation with the collector.

Under no circumstances will results be given out by telephone.

Candidates who do not collect their results on the day will receive notification through the normal post if they have supplied the Examinations Officer with a stamped addressed envelope by the end of the summer term. Letters will be posted out on Thursday 13th August for GCE AS/A2 and Thursday 20th August for GCSE for receipt by the end of each results week.

First Day Arrangements for Year 7

We start the next school year on Thursday, 3rd September 2015. Please enter the school using the path next to the Community Centre on Gedling Road (as for the Induction Day). Staff will be on hand to direct you to the appropriate place within the school. The day starts at 8.35am and finishes at 3.15pm. Please ensure you arrive on site by 8.30am. If it is wet then we will gather in the Upper School Hall.

It is important that before your child starts Year 7 you have completed a student data collection sheet and, if you want your child to use the canteen, a biometric recognition system letter. If needed, please download them here.

If you did not attend the Year 6 New Intake Parents’ Evening on 9th July, please can you email Julie.Fox@arnoldhillacademy.co.uk who will then send you important information that was handed out at this event.

Registration Day for Year 12

Registration Day for Year 12 is Friday 4th September 2015 in the Sixth Form Centre, in surname order at the following times:

9.00am Surnames A – E

10.00am Surnames F – J

11.00am Surnames K – O

12.00pm Surnames P – Z

Please let Ms Carter know of any changes to your option choices as soon as possible (she is here on results day).

Year 12 will start lessons on Monday 7th September. Tutor Time is at 8.40am when timetables will be issued.

Year 13 return to school on Thursday 3rd September 2015 and will be with their tutors all morning to sort out timetables. Year 13 lessons start on Friday 4th September.

Travel Information for September 2015

Nottingham City Transport have confirmed their travel information for Arnold Hill Academy from September 2015; details of the services to and from school can be accessed here.

UKMT Junior Maths Challenge

At the end of April 2015 around 100 year 7 and 8 students took part in the UKMT Junior Maths challenge. For many of them this was the first time they had taken part and they all performed exceptionally well.

Among them was Nathan Brown (Year 7) with the highest score in his year, achieving a Bronze certificate. The top stars of this year’s challenge were Jamie McElhinney and Nina Drury (pictured). Nina came top in her year and therefore top in the school for the Junior Maths Challenge. Both should be proud of their achievement as they earned themselves Gold certificates and their scores were high enough to secure places in the next level, the Junior Kangaroo, the first time this has happened at Arnold Hill! Warm congratulations to everyone that took part and achieved a certificate, whether Bronze, Silver or Gold. We hope to see just as many taking part next year!

Students Get Creative at Confetti

Miss Wilson and Mr Callaway took 15, year 10 students on a trip to Confetti College for a Creative Technology Activity Day. Everyone relished the opportunity to get some hands-on experience in using the different techniques employed in the creative technology industry, which included workshops in Games Development, TV & Film Production and Music Technology.

The pupils developed their own Star Wars game, put sound effects and music to a film clip and produced, filmed and acted in their own movie! It was a fantastic day and Miss Wilson and Mr Callaway were pleased with all of their hard work and efforts, and cannot wait to see the final and edited version of the short films.

6th Form Summer Ball

The Annual Sixth Form Summer Ball took place on Friday 3rd July and was a huge success. The evening was attended by both staff and Sixth Form students, who enjoyed a three course meal, followed by an Awards Ceremony presented by Head Girl, Caroline Collins and Head Boy, Reuben Hughes. Mrs Marshall from English was delighted to have won the much anticipated “Best Teacher” Award, amongst the many others given out on the evening. A photo booth with a colourful variety of props proved hugely popular with the guests throughout the evening. It was a super evening and enjoyed by all.

Latest Ofsted Monitoring Report

Please find the latest Ofsted monitoring letter here. We are pleased to inform you that this report contains several positives which show the changes put in place since December are having an impact on all aspects of the academy. The HMI commented that: “Having considered all the evidence, I am of the opinion that … the academy is making reasonable progress towards the removal of the serious weaknesses designation.”

“The newly appointed headteacher has accelerated the pace of change by introducing rigorous systems for checking the work of the academy.”

“… students are making much more progress compared to last year, especially in English and mathematics. The most-able students are making good progress. Leaders have a clear view of the academy’s areas for improvement…”

Mrs Smith said: “We have written a new improvement plan which focuses on addressing the areas for improvement identified during the second monitoring inspection last November, and it’s pleasing to know the progress we are making has been recognised”.

Have Fun, Get Active and Save Lives

During next week’s PE lessons, our 6th form PE ambassadors will be fundraising for the British Heart Foundation. This fun, charity event aims to increase awareness of the support the BHF gives to those children and adults affected by heart disease, as well as raising money for life-saving research. Heart disease touches us all; current statistics show that one in every 180 babies born has a heart defect, about 30,000 teenagers in the UK are currently living with heart conditions and approximately one in three children are classed as either overweight or obese.

Pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 will have the opportunity to take part in either a dodgeball event or a skipping challenge, and will also learn about the continued importance of physical activity to reduce the risk of heart disease in later life. Sponsorship forms have been made available to pupils this week; the option of a one off donation is also possible. Your support with this is greatly appreciated.

U12 Cricket Team

On Thursday 25th June our U12 cricket team played the Nottingham High School in the County Cup Semi-Finals.It was a tough fixture against a very good team and, despite losing, the boys showed great spirit, sportsmanship and maturity. Well done to all involved, you were a credit to Arnold Hill.

Latest Construction News

You can catch up with the latest construction news at Arnold Hill Academy here

Late Applications to Sixth Form

The registration deadline for applications for Sixth Form entry in September 2015 has now closed. If you wish to be considered, you must contact the Sixth Form team on Thursday 3rd September to see whether we are able to accept a late application. As the Sixth Form is currently full, we cannot guarantee that your application will be considered and it is recommended that you secure a place with another establishment.

All accepted students must meet our standard entry requirements. Students will require at least five GCSE passes at grade C or better (equivalent passes in BTEC or other vocational courses will be accepted in most cases).Students normally require grade C or better in GCSE English Language and GCSE Mathematics in order to study A levels (or a mixed programme of A levels and BTEC courses). Students will require at least a grade C (or equivalent) in the subjects they wish to study in the Sixth Form (or closely related subjects for those not previously studied); in most cases, B grades are recommended. Students will require good, recent records of attendance, punctuality and conduct.

Alumni Update

It has been great to catch up with ex-student Ailbhe Warde-Brown’s achievements since leaving Arnold Hill Academy. He is currently undertaking a joint honours degree in Music and Philosophy and has secured firsts in all of the units so far. In his spare time he has been involved in a considerable amount of fundraising for charity, and has joined a few highly respected vocal groups. Probably the highlight to date has been an invitation for him to sing at The Vatican! His singing tour of Rome included performances at the Basilica del Sacro Cuore, the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, St. Paul's outside the Walls and All Saints' Anglican Church.

We are delighted that he is becoming a successful young man, and wish him all the very best for the future.

Uniform Policy

As a result of feedback we have made some amendments to our uniform policy, full details can be found here. The key changes are:-

School trousers and skirts no longer need to be purchased from one supplier.

We will no longer have a separate summer and winter uniform.

From September 2015 shoes need to be formal and plain in style.

We are keen that parents take the time to read the latest policy and continue to support us by ensuring students represent the academy positively both in school and within the community.

During guidance sessions this week your child’s tutor will be discussing the policy in detail to make sure pupils are clear about our expectations and we can address any questions they may have.

Thank you again for your continued support.

Free School Meals and Increasing Funding in our School

When families who qualify for free school meals do not claim them, both the family and school miss out on further funding which would benefit many pupils in school. To find out more about this, please click here to read a letter from the Head Teacher. To check whether you qualify, please view this useful factsheetissued by Nottinghamshire County Council. If you wish to apply, please use this form.

Academy Alumni

To celebrate ex-students of the school who have gone on to great things, we are creating an Alumni feature within the Academy’s website. Who do you think is worthy of note? Maybe someone has achieved recognition as a writer, musician, dancer or actor? Is there someone who has reached the dizzy heights of a great career? Have we produced any politicians, or have an unsung hero in our local community who has finally been recognised? Have we created an army of teachers, doctors, CEOs and business leaders? Who is enjoying an interesting life anywhere in the world?One such ex-student is James Crisp. James has achieved significant success in the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Swimming World Championships, winning sixteen medals. He claimed two golds in 1998, five in 2002, and one in 2006. He has also seen many victories in the European Championships, winning three golds in 1999, four in 2001, and one in 2011. He has been on the podium 13 times at European events. We are very proud to count him amongst our own!

If you know of anyone like James who we can add to our growing Alumni then please do let us know by letter, or email at the school addressed to jayne.gilmartin@arnoldhillacademy.co.uk – we would love to hear from you!

Sixth form Entry Interviews

All Sixth Form Interviews will be conducted in the 3 weeks immediately after February Half Term. Students who have applied to the Sixth Form will be notified of an appointment for their interview via their Tutor.

The next PTA meeting takes place on Thursday 17th September 2015, 7.30pm at The Major Oak Pub, Rolleston Drive, Arnold.We are always pleased to welcome new members and would be delighted if you could join us. You can find more information about the PTA here. If you would like to get involved, please contact us at: